Trial run of Metro along Mandi House-ITO begins

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 18

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) today commenced the trial runs from Mandi House to ITO on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor of Phase III.

The first trial train on this section was flagged off today from the ITO Metro station by DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh.

"The construction work for this underground stretch, which is part of the 9.37-km-long Central Secretariat -Kashmere Gate Metro Line is almost complete and is expected to be opened for commuter operations after successful trials and mandatory approvals," said senior DMRC official.

The opening of this stretch, originally scheduled for December 2015, has been advanced since the ITO Metro station will cater to a large number of office goers. Apart from people commuting to their offices (Police Headquarters, UGC, Bal Bhawan, etc.), the ITO station will also benefit sports enthusiasts who often come to watch football and cricket matches at Ambedkar and Feroz Shah Kotla stadiums located at a walking distance.

Approximately 22,000 passengers are expected to use the ITO Metro station by 2016. The number is likely to cross the 31,000 mark in 2021.

"The work on this stretch was started in April 2012 and completed only in two years and nine months," the official said.